From art fairs and car shows to food and beer fests, Michigan is host to a big variety of summer festivals. August is a popular month for music festivals, food tasting, and reenactments. The festivals listed below are a sampling of the different fair and festivals throughout Michigan:
The Weekend of August 10-12
- National Blueberry Festival in South Haven- A festival celebrating all thing blueberry.
- John’s Mint Festival in St. John’s – Festival featuring art and crafts, food vendors, parade, flea market, chalk art and more.
- Milford Memories Summer Festival in Milford – A standing Milford tradition with the annual Cold Butt Euchre Tournament, 5K race, one of the state’s largest art fairs, activities for kids in Central Park, along with music and beer tents.
- Cheeseburger Festival in Caseville – The 20th annual festival will include a duck race, cheeseburger photo contest, face painting, and more.
- Michigan Metal Fest in Battle Creek – In it’s second year, this festival features 40 heavy metal bands, food vendors, arts and crafts, and beer tents.
- Colonial Kensington in Milford (Kensington Metropark) – A celebration of life in the 1700s. Reenactments from the time, along with historical costumes, trades persons and merchants.
The Weekend of August 16-19
- Howell Melon Festival in Howell – A 58-year tradition featuring train rides, melon run, bike ride, entertainment, air dogs, animal magic, kids carnival and melon ice cream.
- Summer Music Fest in Frankenmuth – Polka music festival.
- Woodward Dream Cruise in Ferndale, Berkley, Birmingham – Started in 1995 as a one-day celebration, it has unofficially turned into a week long display of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, custom cars and collectors editions.
- Rubber Ducky Festival in Bellaire – 31st annual festival features paddle event, car show, picnic, and rubber ducky race.
- Ann Arbor Blues Festival in Ann Arbor – A summer blues party.
- Port Huron Float Down in Port Huron – A tradition for over 40 years, people float down the river on a raft or float.
- Festival on the Bay in Petosky – Features a midway, art show, children’s area, and entertainment, all on the waterfront.
- Back to the Bricks in Flint – Car show features live music, vendors, concessions, dancing, giveaways and more.
- UP State Fair in Escanaba – Got talent competition, helicopter landing, live entertainment, fireworks, antique car show, raffles, vendors, county market, and more.
The Weekend of August 23-26
- Dragon on the Lake in Lake Orion – Beer and wine tasting, live music, lighted boat parade, chalk art, 5K run, dragon boat races, cornhole tournament, and more.
- Kalamazoo Balloon Fest in Richmond – Watch 30 hot air balloons take flight and a night glow in the evening.
- Michigan Renaissance Festival in Holly – 16th century festival features live entertainment, comedy acts, jousting, costumes from the time period, and of course, turkey legs.
- Mackinac Island Fudge Festival in Mackinac Island – Fudge demonstrations, Willy Wonka sittings, egg hunt, family games, concert, outdoor movie featuring “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and the great turtle slow ride, all on the picturesque island.
- Cascades Civil War Muster in Jackson – Living history exhibits, educational events, battle re-enactments, live music and and arts and craft show will be featured at the 34th annual festival.
- Thunder Over Michigan in Ypsilanti (Willow Run Airport) – Air show to feature the USAF Thunderbirds, Team Oracle, and Quicksilver P-51D.
The Weekend of August 30- September 3
- Detroit Jazz Festival in Detroit – Jazz artists, with up to 30 performances, take the stage on Labor Day weekend.
- Ford Arts, Beats and Eats in Royal Oak – 200 performances across 9 stages to include: Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Eddie Money, AWOLNATION,;along with Jazz and country bands. Kids stage to include puppet shows, Michigan Science Center, Roscoe the Clown, storytellers, and magic. The art show and food vendors (from 40 Metro-Detroit restaurants) are also notable.
- Michigan Peach Festival in Romeo – Dating back to 1931, Romeo celebrate its prized crop. The Peach fest will include games, music, food, races and the naming of the 2018 Peach Queen.
- Michigan Chicken Wing Festival in Lansing – Music, kid zone, vendors, beer, carnival, and of course, chicken wings (samples and eating contests)!
- Thumbfest in Lexington – Festival celebrating acoustic music. 50 acts on 10 stages, all for free.
- Michigan Polish Festival in Muskegon – With Polka bands, a wooden dance floor, beer and your favorite Polish dishes, you can’t go wrong.
- Michigan State Fair in Novi (Suburban Collection Showplace) – Well known for the Beginning of Life exhibit, this fair also feature agriculture, competitions, cooking demos, dog performances, beer garden, equestrian exhibit, farmer’s market, art, live music, livestock, carnival rides, pig races, shrine circus, and more.
August is the perfect time to enjoy a weekend festival before the weather takes a turn. Whether you are all about nature, a classic car lover, a foodie, a history junkie, or a beer enthusiast, there is something for everyone among the festivals throughout Michigan this month.